Barnet

The House

Set in the heart of residential Barnet, this six-bedroomed house, owned by Barnet Primary Care Trust, is close to all the amenities of Barnet High Street, and to Barnet College. It is spacious and light, with a large attractive garden, living room and kitchen. The back lounge has been made into a multi-purpose room where various activities take place including music, art, sensory activities and relaxation.

Residents

The six service users have a range of support needs, including severe learning disabilities, and autism. All service users attend a variety of day care settings and staff are working toward individualised day care packages to enhance their quality of life. Service users are fully involved in the running of the house: discussing menus and selecting food, cleaning their rooms, doing laundry, choosing furnishings and colour schemes for the house and helping with the garden.

Leisure activities feature highly on the agenda. These include: pub visits, bowling and many trips out to shows and films. All the service users enjoy holidays both in the UK and abroad. Cornwall, Crete and the Lake District are favourites as well as Outward Bound holidays run by the Calvert Trust. Four service users have weekly aromatherapy and massage and four attend classes in music and movement at the local college. Two go to 'Communication through water' at the local swimming pool. One resident, whose artwork has been exhibited in Edinburgh and local exhibitions, has produced a mosaic picture for a private sponsor.

Supporters

A group, comprising parents and carers meets frequently to discuss the house, the service users and fundraising.

Staff

The staff team, comprising a support manager, one deputy manager, two senior support workers and four support workers, have undertaken a range of training, including specialist autism training, support for mental health problems, medication and statutory training, as well as bereavement and loss. The team is supported by our autism manager and consultant who provides specialist advice around service users' needs and behaviour management.

Several staff are pursuing NVQ2 and NVQ3 in care.

Support managers and deputies are fully involved in developing the Hoffmann Foundation for Autism's strategic plan and managing their budgets. Our policies, based on the requirements of the Care Standards Act, are developed in-house and tested out in the units before being adopted by the organisation.

Contacts

For further information on the Barnet home, please contact the Unit Manager, on 020 8449 9493. For further information about Hoffmann Foundation for Autism, to discuss a referral, diagnostic assessment or to arrange counselling please contact head office on 020 8964 6650 or click here to send us an email